An early version of Apple’s iOS has surfaced, revealing that the company was attempting to create an interface styled from the iPod’s click wheel.
Before Apple elected to make use of a touchscreen operating system for the original iPhone (the fruits of which is iOS as we know it today), the company had a team working to create interfaces based off the click wheel found on the iPod.
Now, ten years after the iPhone’s debut, a new video reveals just what iOS’ interface could have resembled should the company have elected to pursue a click wheel-based system.
Read: Apple is reportedly seeking to move iPhone production to the United States
A video, provided by Sonny Dickson, shows both the two final concepts that emerged before Apple elected to pursue a touch-screen based system. On the left stands an interface designed around a click wheel, while the other shows the rudimentary flow that would later be employed on iOS.
While both are heinously ugly by today’s standards, the video is an interesting point of reflection. The click wheel operating system that never made the final cut is an interesting mix of iPod-style design with smaller, focused menus designed to be easily navigated by using both the click wheel and a series of dedicated buttons.
The click wheel concept was one punted by Tony Fadell – the man widely accredited with designing the early iPod. The latter concept – which ultimately came to fruition as the iOS we use today – was designed under the leadership of Scott Forstall, who at the time was the leader of Mac development within the company.
Forstall was later dismissed to make way for Jony Ive, who proceeded to redesign the system – stripping it of visual references to give the design style that originated with iOS 7 and persists today.
Read: Apple‘s next iPhone could have a wraparound display like the Galaxy S7 Edge
What are your thoughts? Could a click wheel-driven handset have succeeded in a different timeline? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
